KELOWNA – Fall is going to be a time for change in the Kelowna Regional Transit System with new routes and route name changes taking effect September 1, 2019.
BC Transit and its Kelowna regional partners are announcing service expansion and a seasonal service change in the Kelowna Regional Transit System for the fall. BC Transit works hard to match service with demand, the service expansion will help improve service reliability for customers within the transit system. The service expansion will include schedule changes on all routes on the Westside, with three new routes being added.
Service levels on routes servicing post-secondary and secondary schools will also be reinstated for the fall to reflect increased demand when schools are in session.
The new changes will introduce three new routes on the Westside:
- Route 24 Shannon Ridge
- Replaces a portion of the existing route 24 Shannon Lake while also providing new service to the neighbourhoods along Shannon Ridge Dr. and Auburn Rd.
- Route 26 Old Okanagan
- Replaces the portion of the existing route 24 Shannon Lake serving along the Old Okanagan Hwy.
- Route 28 Shannon Lake
- Replaces the existing route 28 Smith Creek, maintaining service to Smith Creek while extending service to Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods, and Crystal Springs neighbourhoods along Shannon Lake Rd.
The route 97 Okanagan will also see improved Sunday service and weekday evening service on the Westside.
Route 8 University/OK College will see improved midday service on weekdays and light decrease in Saturday service levels to improve Sunday service.
The service change will also see one weekday A.M. and P.M. peak trip extended to serve the Ellison area on route 23 Lake Country.
The route 15 Crawford will see minor trip reductions due to low demand within the area it services.
For more information on routes, schedules and alerts in Kelowna, please visit bctransit.com/kelowna. You can also use NextRide to see where your bus is in real-time.
Kelowna Service Change Q & A
Quotes
“It’s great to see more people in B.C. choosing transit. It is as an affordable way to get around and, of course, cuts congestion and lowers our carbon footprint. To meet this increased demand we are working with BC Transit, to make transit in Kelowna more frequent and so, more convenient.”
Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The Kelowna regional transit partners are committed to continued investment in public transit and strive to focus available resources where they are needed most. We are pleased to introduce these new routes and enhanced service levels on existing popular routes.”
Colin Basran, Mayor, Kelowna
“BC Transit works hard to ensure our services match ridership demands. These new routes in the Kelowna Transit System will not only help improve service reliability, but also provide more efficient service to our customers throughout the system.”
Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer
